2 Outline Why GPS? What is GPS? How GPS Works.What you need to know about GPS.What can you do with GPS?Applications of GPS.

3 Why GPS?Many features have addresses and landmarks that are associated with a destination.

4 Why GPS?Many features have addresses and landmarks to get you to a destination.However, there are many features that do not have addresses…

5 Why GPS?Many features have addresses and landmarks to get you to a destinationHowever, there are many features that do not have addresses…There are many MAJOR cities that do not even have STREET NAMES!

6 Why GPS?Many features have addresses and landmarks to get you to a destinationHowever, there are many features that do not have addresses…There are many cities that do not even have STREET NAMES!And then there is the open ocean and sky…

9 Pre-GPS Navigation is criticalHistorical Navigational tools have limits:-The Sextant – contingent on weather-Radionavigation (Lowrance): only works near land…

10 Pre-GPS Navigation is criticalHistorical Navigational tools have limits:-The Sextant – doesn’t work if it is cloudy-Lowrance – radionavigation: only worked near land…The military had its own reasons for determining location…-Identify targets-Friendly fire issues-“smart bombs”

11 What is GPS? GPS is not a single UNIT! GPS = Global Positioning SYSTEMGPS was developed by the Department of DefenseFunding for the GPS was contingent on making the system available to the public.

12 GPS is a SYSTEM There are three major components in this system:SatellitesGround Control StationsGPS Receivers (or units)

13 Satellites There are 24 satellites (and 3 spares).The DOD knows the EXACT location of each of the satellites at any given moment.These satellites have VERY accurate clocks on board.The satellites continuously send radio signals towards earth.The radio signals contain several pieces of information, including the satellite id#, a time stamp, and the satellite’s true position in space.

14 Control Stations There are five control stations to monitor thesatellites.Control stations enable information on Earth to be transmitted to the satellites (updates and fine turning).Control stations continuously track satellites, and update the positions of each satellite.Without control stations, the accuracy of the system would degrade in a matter of days.

16 GPS ReceiversThe Receiver knows exactly when the signal leaves the satellite (time stamp) and when the signal arrives at the receiver.The Receiver is therefore able to calculate its distance from the satellite.-Distance = time x velocity-Distance = time x 299,792,458 m/sThe receiver knows the exact position (location) of the satellite (via the signal).The receiver is therefore able to determine its exact distance from the satellite.

17 How GPS Works Signal with Time stamp… Satellite ID #Satellite position information

18 How GPS Works If the GPS receiver only obtains signalsfrom 1 Satellite, then it “knows” that itis located somewhere on this sphere…

24 How GPS WorksA fourth GPS is required to determine the exact location and elevation.

25 What you need to know about GPSSignal Accuracy IssuesSelective AvailabilityTricks of the TradeCurrent Applications of GPSFuture applications of GPS

26 Signal Accuracy There are 2 types of GPS Signals:P-code: (“Precise” code)This is only available to the military and some selected public officials.Very precise, not degraded.C-code: (“Civilian” Code).Less preciseDegraded (by scrambling the signal) especially in times of conflict

27 Selective Availability (SA)For national security reasons, the military sometimes degrades the C-code signal.These errors are randomErrors be as high as +300 feet

28 Selective AvailabilitySA errors can put you on the wrong side of a stream, or even a different city block or street!300 feet is a lot of real estate!!!GPS LocationReal location

29 Selective AvailabilityIt is possible to correct for Selective Availability.This process is called Differential CorrectionHere’s how it works…

30 Differential CorrectionThere are already established base stations around VirginiaSurveyors have determined the precise location of these base stations already.Each base station has a GPS receiver, which collects incoming (scrambled) signals.The true (surveyed) location is then compared to the GPS coordinates.The correction values are then sent to other GPS receivers in the field.

32 Other Tricks of the Trade: AveragingAveraging: A GPS receiver can collect points continuously for seconds. The receiver can then average all these locations togetherThis only works when you are standing still!!GPS Collected PointsGPS Averaged Point“True” location

33 Other Tricks of the Trade: Satellite DistributionIt is better for your receiver to get a fix on “distributed” satellites, then poorly distributed satellites.“Positional Dilution of Precision”GoodSatelliteDistributionPoorSatelliteDistribution

34 Other Tricks of the Trade: MultiPath ErrorsTry and stay away from buildings and other structures when using a GPS receiverSatellites may not be visible…This can introduce error…

35 Other Tricks of the Trade: Tracking SatellitesGPS has worldwide coverage…HOWEVER…You can lose satellite coverage (or received degraded signals) in areas with dense foliage, in downtown areas, etc.You may also lose satellite coverage (or receive degraded signals) in deep valleys or gorges.

36 Other Tricks of the Trade: WAASThe Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) is a differential GPS system that is being constructed to support GPS accuracy in aircraft.WAAS is supported by a number of satellites that emit signals to standard GPS units.

41 What can you do with a GPS?Collect and store points(WAYPOINTS)Trail heads, creek crossings, mountain tops, camping ground, data collection points (for research), etc.Download the points onto your computer and integrate them with other mapping programs

42 What can you do with a GPS?Collect and store routes (a series of WAYPOINTS)A route is a path between two (or more) Waypoints. The GPS “guides you” from point “A” to point “B”.

43 What can you do with a GPS?The GOTO functionUsing the ‘GOTO’ function, the GPS will guide you to a predefined Waypoint (you choose which one…) using a compass and “pointer”You can program the GPS to “beep” when you are within a certain distance of the defined Waypoint

44 What can you do with a GPS?Tide TablesMany of the marine GPS’s have built in tide tables. They will provide tide information and ranges for any date and any place…

45 What can you do with a GPS?SpeedGPS’s calculate your ground speed as you walk, run, drive or fly

46 What can you do with a GPS?ElevationIn addition to providing you with your latitude and longitude, GPS provides you with altitude information.